safety
‘I knew I was innocent from the first day’: Ex-SAPD officer breaks silence after case dismissal
By Erica Hernandez, Misael Gomez, Zaria Oates, Emilio Sanchez at KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate)
· July 13, 2026
· 3 min read
The Bexar County District Attorney’s Office on Monday dismissed the criminal case against former San Antonio police officer James Brennand — just one hour after a judge denied prosecutors’ request to postpone his trial.The dismissal comes nearly four years after Brennand shot then-17-year-old Eri...
Key takeaway The dismissal comes nearly four years after Brennand shot then-17-year-old Erik Cantu during a traffic stop outside a North Side McDonald’s in October 2022.
Why this matters in The San Antonio
The dismissal of the case against former San Antonio police officer James Brennand raises questions about the impact of external investigations on local law enforcement cases. The fact that a new investigation into Erik Cantu, the victim in the 2022 shooting, led to the dismissal of the charges against Brennand suggests that the Bexar County District Attorney's Office is taking a cautious approach to prosecuting cases involving complex circumstances. This case also highlights the ongoing debate about police accountability and the role of criminal justice reform organizations in shaping the narrative around high-profile incidents. As the investigation into Cantu continues, it will be worth watching how the DA's office navigates the potential re-filing of charges against Brennand, and how this case affects the broader conversation about policing and justice in San Antonio. The city's residents will be paying close attention to how this case unfolds, given its significance to the community's trust in law enforcement.
About this story
Original reporting by KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) . The San Antonio surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: safety ·
Published: July 13, 2026 ·
Source: KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) ·
Reading time: 3 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? The Bexar County District Attorney’s Office on Monday dismissed the criminal case against former San Antonio police officer James Brennand — just one hour after a judge denied prosecutors’ request to postpone his trial.The dismissal comes nearly four years after Brennand shot then-17-year-old Eri...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 13, 2026 by KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) and curated for The San Antonio readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Erica Hernandez, Misael Gomez, Zaria Oates, Emilio Sanchez at KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate). To learn more about how The San Antonio selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more safety coverage from The San Antonio, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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